Wildlife officials: Man lured, killed Florida black bear

J.C. Calton says animal had been harassing family

The FWC says a Central Florida man lured a Florida black bear and killed it with a bow and arrow.

UMATILLA, Fla. – A 48-year-old Umatilla man was charged with luring and killing a Florida black bear that he said was harassing his family, according to wildlife officials.

J.C. Calton is scheduled to appear in Marion County court at 1 p.m. on Monday.

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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, on Aug. 25 around 9:30 p.m., Calton lured the bear to his yard in the Ocala National Forest with dog food and corn and killed it with a bow and arrow.

FWC officers began an investigation the next day after receiving a report of a dead bear lying on a dirt road in a remote area of the Ocala National Forest.  The large bear had been shot with a broadhead arrow, dragged by a vehicle to the remote area and dumped, officials said.

Calton told wildlife officers that after he shot the bear, it died in his yard. He then used his truck to drag it to the remote area, where it was later discovered by someone who reported it to the FWC, officials said.

Calton said the bear had been harassing his family, so he killed it, the FWC said.

Calton was not taken to jail.


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